Summer Opportunities & Programs

This past summer, we had the privilege of working with an exceptional group of Northeastern University students selected for our prestigious 8-week internship program. Only 5 outstanding individuals were chosen for this exclusive opportunity that bridged academic medicine, hands-on research, and clinical exposure.

• Imma Pierre, Health Science, ’28
• Lucia Gizzi, Behavioral Neuroscience, ’28
• Yachne Elysse, Pharmaceutical Sciences, ’28
• Chanelle Boadu, Health Science, ’28
• Thea Carr, Behavioral Neuroscience, ’28

Over the course of July and August, the cohort immersed themselves in the world of academic medicine at Boston Children’s Hospital, one of the nation’s leading pediatric medical centers. Together, they successfully completed a clinical research study and drafted an abstract that was accepted for presentation at the 2026 Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting in Boston, Massachusetts.

The interns also logged more than 40 hours shadowing a diverse range of providers in the emergency department, gained hands-on clinical skills, attended educational sessions for residents and fellows, and benefited from over 20 hours of career-focused talks on academic medicine.

Each student brought unique perspectives and academic backgrounds to the program, contributing to a collaborative environment that fostered both personal growth and meaningful scholarship. Through their full-time, compensated experience, they developed essential skills in research methodology, manuscript preparation, professional presentation, and clinical care—laying a strong foundation for their future careers in medicine, research, and healthcare innovation.

We are proud to celebrate their accomplishments and look forward to seeing the impact they will continue to make.

Testimonials:

Imma Pierre: “This internship allowed me to gain important experience in clinical and research settings that furthered my appreciation for patient care. Through our research on pediatric head trauma and the utilization of CT and MRI scans, I came to appreciate how medical resources can affect outcomes. I think that the most rewarding part of the experience was seeing how close the relationships between physician assistants, nurses, and physicians were, even outside of work. The experience also allowed me to realize that working in the emergency department as its not as intimidating as I once thought, as it can be considered to be an “organized chaos”. The program reinforced my dedication to becoming a Physician Assistant and created my interest in emergency medicine and pediatrics, where I could use clinical skills and compassion to help patients who may not be able to directly communicate with me and their families at their greatest times of need.”

Chanelle Boadu: “This past summer, I interned at the Boston Children’s Hospital Emergency Department under the guidance of Dr. Lyons. We shadowed in the ED, received lectures from physicians, and learned how to research medically. Beyond academics, I formed meaningful relationships with mentors and peers which heightened my overall experience. This experience not only solidified my passion for academic medicine but also broadened my interests in the different fields of medicine. Pediatric care, especially emergency, holds a special place in my heart.”

Lucia Gizzi: “This summer internship program was incredibly influential for me and my future career plans. Throughout the summer we had countless opportunities to foster connections with faculty while shadowing and learning all about their jobs. You will develop lasting relationships with your fellow interns as well as with mentors. This program is hands on, and you will be shocked to see how much you will learn before the end of the program. I couldn’t have asked for a better way to spend my summer.”

Yachne Elysse: “This internship has given me a new perspective and appreciation for all fields in medicine, not just physicians. As a first-generation college student, I initially learned about medicine primarily from the internet. However, this summer experience has introduced me to various roles, including Child Life Specialists, Clinical Assistants, and many more. Another thing about this program that I really appreciated was the exposure to a new type of research. When it comes to research, many people just jump to wet lab research, but dry lab (database) research is just as significant to the world, which is something I did not originally recognize. The staff at BCH fosters a welcoming and genuine environment where they want to see all the interns grow and hopefully encourage their path in medicine. I definitely recommend this program to anyone who has never been in a hospital outside of appointments, and I am thankful to everyone who played a hand in making this program possible!”